The days that followed passed more smoothly than anyone had expected. The Cole house, once tense with uncertainty, gradually settled into a gentle rhythm. Mornings were filled with the scent of breakfast and soft conversation, and evenings echoed with laughter and quiet moments of warmth. Musu, who had initially bristled at the idea of a child, Daniel Lewis's child, staying under her roof, had softened.
Betty, with her thoughtful manners and quiet curiosity, had gently wormed her way into her heart. She was a sweet girl, bright, polite, and refreshingly genuine. She never overstepped but was always ready to help, to listen, to be present. It didn't take long before Musu began to see what Esther had seen all along: the child didn't just need them, they needed her too. She brought light into the house, the kind that softened sharp edges and drew people closer. And in her own way, Betty had begun to belong.
Meanwhile, Sarah struggled in the shadows of this newfound harmony. She had spent the past few days trying, sometimes too hard, to get into Betty's good graces. She complimented her clothes, brought her snacks, even attempted small talk about cartoons she barely understood. But Betty, sharp for her age, wasn't easily fooled. She could sense the difference between real warmth and disguised motives—and Sarah's attempts, though cloaked in smiles, always carried an undertone of self-interest.
Betty remained polite, but distant. No tantrums, no harsh words, just a quiet wall that Sarah couldn't climb no matter how she tried. It unsettled her more than she cared to admit. This was Daniel's daughter. Getting her approval meant something. Meant everything, really. And yet, all her efforts fell flat, her words bouncing off the unspoken truth that Betty didn't like the energy she gave.
Elsewhere, time ticked steadily forward. The long-anticipated NeuroSpeech Launch loomed ever closer, no longer a distant date on a calendar but an event now just hours away. It had stirred the city into a quiet buzz, with whispers of innovation and speculation about who would be attending. Daniel and his team had worked tirelessly, and now all eyes were set on the unveiling.
That morning, the mood was lighter. Esther, Dija, and Betty were out shopping for dresses, eager, excited.
The boutique they stepped into was nestled along the edge of Aberdeen, bright, luxurious, and echoing with soft jazz from hidden ceiling speakers. Mannequins draped in silk and sequins lined the entrance, each one looking ready for a magazine cover. Betty gasped in awe the moment they walked in.
"Whoa," she whispered, eyes wide. "This place looks like a fairy godmother exploded."
Dija laughed, linking her arm through Esther's. "Betty, honey, welcome to heaven. Today, we're going to find magic in fabric."
Esther rolled her eyes fondly but said nothing, her lips already curling into a smile as she glanced around. She hadn't been dress shopping like this in years, not for anything this big. The NeuroSpeech Launch was more than a tech event, it was a political, social, and personal statement. And she wanted to feel confident standing beside Daniel, even if quietly.
A boutique assistant approached, courteous and stylish, and immediately began ushering them toward the private fitting lounge. "Feel free to browse. Let me know if anything catches your eye," she said with a professional smile before disappearing.
It didn't take long before the chaos began.
Dija was the first to emerge from the fitting room in a deep green satin dress with a dramatic slit and jeweled neckline. She gave a spin. "Too much or just enough to give the dignitaries heart attacks?"
Betty gave a thoughtful look. "You look like a queen in a soap opera."
"I'll take that as a win," Dija said, blowing her a kiss.
Next came Esther. She stepped out hesitantly in a soft blue off-shoulder gown that hugged her waist and flowed delicately down to her ankles. The fabric shimmered subtly under the lights.
Dija's jaw dropped. "Okay, ma'am, you're giving Cinderella-but-make-it-sophisticated."
Betty's eyes sparkled. "You look like someone Dad would stare at and forget how to talk."
Esther nearly choked on her laugh. "Betty!"
"What? I'm just saying the truth." Betty shrugged innocently, then tugged at the hem of a blush pink dress she had picked for herself. "My turn now!"
She dashed behind the curtain and emerged a moment later, looking like a delicate rose in soft tulle. The dress was sleeveless with little pearl details on the bodice and a sash tied in a bow at the back. She did a slow twirl and grinned. "Tada!"
Dija gasped. "That is it. We are adopting this child."
Esther bent down, smoothing the skirt. "You like it, sweetheart?"
Betty nodded. "I feel like a princess, but the kind that doesn't wait to be rescued."
Dija clasped her hands dramatically. "She even comes with quotes. Esther, keep her forever."
They tried on more dresses, some too tight, some too frilly, some that made them laugh till they teared up. At one point, Dija stepped out in a neon orange jumpsuit that earned a simultaneous "No" from both Esther and Betty.
They eventually settled on their final choices: Dija in an emerald green satin gown with draped shoulders, Betty in her pink tulle dream, and Esther in the sky-blue gown that made her feel quietly beautiful without trying too hard.
As they sat in the café next door sipping fresh smoothies and waiting for the dresses to be packed, Betty leaned into Esther's arm.
"Thanks for today," she murmured. "This is the best day I've had in a long time."
Esther squeezed her hand. "You've made it special for us too."
"And don't forget," Dija added, flipping her curls, "tomorrow, we make history. But today, we looked fabulous doing it."
They clinked their smoothie cups together with a cheer, three girls, three dresses, and a memory stitched into the seams of laughter and love.
By the time they returned to the Cole residence, the sun had long dipped below the horizon. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the trio burst through the front door, eager to show off their new dresses from the boutique. But they froze mid-step at the sight that greeted them.
A tall figure sat in the living room, arms folded neatly across his chest, his face calm but unreadable.
"Thomas?" Dija blinked, her voice laced with surprise and a flicker of excitement. "What are you doing here?" she asked, stepping forward with a teasing grin. "Let me guess, you're here
Thomas let out a faint chuckle but didn't take the bait. Instead, he walked past her and stopped in front of Esther. "Miss Cole," he said formally, "Mr. Lewis asked me to deliver these dresses."
He gestured toward the standing hanger rack by the wall, where several elegantly wrapped gowns were draped in garment bags, each tagged with a name.
"He had them custom-made for you and your family," Thomas continued. "That includes young madam Betty."
Esther's mouth parted slightly, momentarily stunned. Her eyes drifted to the gowns, then back to Thomas. "But… we already bought dresses today," she said quietly, unsure how to react. "We spent hours picking them."
"I know," Thomas replied gently. "But Mr. Lewis insisted. He said it was important."
Esther turned toward the rack again, torn between gratitude and frustration. Of course he would do something like this, always thoughtful, always a step ahead… but just a little too late.
"You should have them return" Esther said, eyes on Thomas.
"Miss Cole , Mr Lewis won't be pleased" Thomas protested.
She opened her mouth to respond, but Dija beat her to it.
"Return what?" Dija exclaimed, swooping in dramatically. She ran her fingers over the fine fabric of one of the gowns. "Are you kidding me, Esther? Look at these, these are designer pieces! And not off-the-rack either, these are custom-fitted. Uncle D really did that."
She held one up against herself, admiring the fit. "This one's a perfect size twenty-nine. My dream size. Honestly, I know we spent the whole day shopping, but these," she spun with flair "these are the real showstoppers. We can wear our picks another time. But tonight, we make a statement in these."
Esther hesitated, still caught between her pride and her growing appreciation for the gesture.
Dija leaned in, fluttering her lashes with a dramatic pout. "Please? For me?"
Thomas, sensing the moment had passed, gave a small bow. "Then I'll take my leave."
He turned toward the door, but Dija was already in motion.
"Thomas!" she called out, rushing after him. Outside, she caught him just as he reached the porch steps.
"Mister," she huffed, "this is no way to treat your girlfriend, you know."
Thomas blinked, startled. "Huh?"
She didn't give him a chance to recover. "Anyway, you saw the dress I'm wearing, it's red. So don't you dare show up in anything but that color, or I swear I'm sending you straight to the hospital. Understood?"
Thomas blinked, then nodded slowly, trying to mask the smile twitching at the corners of his lips.
"Good boy," Dija said with satisfaction. Then, rising onto her toes, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek before turning back toward the house with a triumphant grin.
She spun on her heel and skipped back into the house, leaving him standing in the moonlight with a bemused shake of his head and the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
Inside, Dija burst back into the living room like a firework. "Alright ladies, we've got less than an hour to transform ourselves into queens. Everyone grab your dress and to the rooms, chop chop!"
Esther laughed, the tension finally lifting from her shoulders. Betty, eyes gleaming with excitement, carefully selected the gown with her name tag, a soft lilac piece with pearl beading across the neckline.
"I feel like a princess already," she whispered as she hugged the dress against her chest.
"You are a princess," Dija replied, ruffling her hair. "And tonight, you're going to outshine everyone."
Zianab emerged from the hallway at that moment, her brows raising when she saw the elegant dresses. "Okay, who robbed a Paris boutique?"
"Mr. Lewis sent them," Esther said softly, still adjusting to the unexpected gesture.
Zianab's eyes flicked to the gowns, then back at Esther with a knowing smirk. "Of course he did. That man is really trying to secure the crown, huh?"
Esther rolled her eyes. "It's not like that."
"Oh, it's exactly like that," Dija added, already heading to the bedroom with her chosen dress. "Now, enough chit-chat. We've got glamming to do!"
In the next hour, the house was a whirlwind of laughter, makeup brushes, curling irons, and perfume. The girls helped one another zip gowns, adjust jewelry, and pin hair in place.
Betty stood in front of the mirror, twirling slightly in her lilac gown. "Do I look alright?" she asked shyly.
"You look breathtaking," Esther assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He's going to be so proud of you."
Zianab peeked in, already dressed in an emerald green satin dress that hugged her figure. "Everyone ready? The car's here."
They quickly gathered and walked out , hopped in the cars Daniel had sent to pick them up.
The grand hall of the Hilton Conference Center was unrecognizable. Dressed in flowing white drapes and glimmering golden lights, it gleamed with a quiet opulence that matched the magnitude of the occasion. A glowing banner across the stage read:
"NEUROSPEECH PROJECT LAUNCH, Redefining Communication."
Uniformed ushers moved swiftly, guiding guests to their assigned seats. Security personnel kept a discreet watch along the edges. Cameramen flitted about like dragonflies, capturing the distinguished faces arriving, investors, politicians, journalists, foreign dignitaries, tech moguls, and invited elite. It was the kind of night where every smile mattered, every whisper counted, and every camera flash told a story.
Then came a stir at the entrance.
The glass doors slid open, and a hush of curiosity swept through the room as heads turned.
Esther walked in, poised and radiant, dressed in a midnight blue gown that shimmered like stardust under the lights. The silhouette hugged her just right, modest yet regal, with delicate silver embroidery tracing the neckline. Her hair was swept into a graceful updo, earrings dangling like tiny constellations. She didn't walk, she glided.
Beside her was Dija, a vision in bold red. Her dress was fierce, modern, and dramatic, with an asymmetric slit and layers of silk that moved like fire with every step she took. Her makeup was flawless, her lips painted to match the confidence in her strut. If Esther was the night sky, Dija was the sun before it set, brilliant, unignorable.
Trailing close were Musu and Zianab, both dressed in sophisticated gowns that balanced tradition and elegance. Musu wore deep green, the color of calm strength, and Zianab was in sleek silver, her usual reserved demeanor cloaked in poise. Even she couldn't help but blush under the camera flashes.
But what truly caused a wave of murmurs and soft awe was the little girl holding Esther's hand.
Betty.
She wore a princess-cut dress of lavender and pearl white, custom-fitted to perfection, her hair in tight curls pinned with jeweled clips. Her eyes sparkled under the chandeliers, and as she waved shyly at a few cameras, the media leaned in for better angles.
"That's Mr. Lewis's daughter," someone whispered.
"With Miss Cole?" another murmured, intrigued.
Cameras clicked rapidly. A few media personalities tried to approach for quick interviews but were politely blocked by security.
At the front of the room, Thomas watched it all unfold with a smile. So did several members of the LewisTech executive team, Ibrahim among them. The moment was monumental. Esther wasn't just an employee anymore. She was a part of the narrative.
And Daniel, though not yet visible, was watching the live feed from a private prep room in the back.
He watched Esther enter, watched Betty beam by her side, watched Dija throw a wink at the cameras like she owned the runway. And for a moment, all the tension in his chest eased. They were here.
Tonight wasn't just about technology. It was about connection, about second chances, about reclaiming the future.